Tampa Gems: La Segunda Bakery

Tampa residents take their Cuban cuisine seriously — that passion is best exhibited during the Cuban Sandwich Festival in historic Ybor City. One of the most beloved spots for a classic sandwich and a side or maybe a morning Quiset is La Segunda Bakery in Ybor City.

The Bakery is the vision of Juan More, who developed an affinity for Cuban bread in the late 19th century. More was born in the Catalan region of Spain and served as a soldier in the Spanish-American War in Cuba. It’s there that he discovered the perfect recipe for Cuban bread.

Over a century of serving Ybor City

More joined a co-op of fellow bakers and cigar makers at the start of World War I. Together they opened three bakeries: La Primera, La Segunda and La Tercera in Ybor City. When the other bakeries folded, More purchased La Segunda from his partners. Situated inside an Ybor landmark at 2512 North 15th Street, La Segunda has been tantalizing the taste buds of culinary enthusiasts since 1915.

If you haven’t woken up with a cafe con leche from La Segunda, then we recommend you amend that immediately. That and a few slices of Cuban toast will infuse you with the kind of flavor that can only be achieved through over a century of practice and passion.

What to try when you visit

You really can’t go wrong with any of the items on the menu. If you’re there at sunrise, then you have to have some cuban toast with butter, and maybe a guava and cheese turnover if you have some room left. The coup de gras of dishes at La Segunda is their prized Cuban Sandwich.

Andrew Harlan is in his third year as Writer/Editor of ThatsSoTampa.com. New York Times bestselling author Andre Dubus III has said of him, “Andrew Harlan has a sharp and discerning eye for detail that deftly captures character and landscape.” He has published fiction and poetry in Sabal and Prime Number Literary Magazine. He graduated with honors from Eckerd College in 2013 with a B.A. in Creative Writing and a minor in Literature. Phone: (727) 896-3435 / Email: andrew@rkc.me